Welcome to The Southern California Filipino Dental Society

The Southern California Filipino Dental Society (SCFDS), an affiliate chapter of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), was organized on June 2, 1966 with the vision of helping young aspiring dental students financially with scholarship programs and providing free dental clinics in underserved areas in the Philippines, through an annual dental mission program. SCFDS has sponsored and produced hundreds of successful dentists and helped thousands of underprivileged Filipinos with their dental needs. Locally, the organization is involved in advancing continuing education for Filipino dentists in the area and helping those working on their licensure in the United States.

From the Beginning

Prior to 1969, by law, no foreign-trained dentist was eligible to practice dentistry in the USA. It is for this reason that a group of Filipino dentists in San Francisco, California decided to organize and find ways to change that. Thus the California Filipino Dental Society was born. The organization was headed by Dr. Antonio Ragadio and had among others, Dr Daniel Lapuz, Dr. Marie Magat and Dr. Marcelino Gamboa as officers. The group invited  Filipino dentists particularly those from the Southern California area to join to have members from all over the State. However due to logistics, the southern group decided to form a chapter. Thus was born the Southern California Filipino Dental Society. The first President was Juan C. Bides.

Both organizations joined forces and initiated a lobby in Sacramento to change the law and allow foreign-trained dentists to practice in California. After several attempts to draw interest to their cause, the group finally received the attention of Assemblyman, Willie Brown Jr. and Senator Milton Marks. Together, both legislators introduced a proposed legislation the change the laws. They met stiff opposition from the local dental schools and the California Dental Association who both argued that the training of the foreign-trained dentists was not on par with that of the US trained dentists. In the end however, through shrewd politics, the proposed law (AB 537) was passed by both Houses of the State Legislature with a 69-0 vote at the Assembly and a 32-0 vote at the Senate.  At the behest of Consul Ruperto Baliao, AB537 went through the ceremonial signing as a law on June 12, 1969 to coincide with the Philippine Independence Day. Gov. Ronald Reagan signed AB 537 into law.

To date, more than 3000 foreign trained dentists have benefited from the provisions of AB537.

Our Mission

The mission of the Southern California Filipino Dental Society is to support  members in their practices and to protect their rights through continuing education, and political action.

Our vision

Our Vison is an organization with leadership that can provide outstanding services to its members through the protection of their rights and the promotion of the dental profession.

2011-2013 Officers of SCFDS

President: Dr. Harley Orzame
President Elect (1st Vice President): Dr. Lawrence Lozada
President Elect (2nd Vice President): Dr. Maria Moran
Secretary: Dr. Victor M. Rosales
Asst. Secretary: Dr. Christine Robles
Treasurer: Dr. Lourdes Aquino
Auditor: Dr. Manolet Santos
Asst. Auditor: Dr. Vergie Castelo
Public Relation: Dr. Ramil Macasact
Asst. Public Relation: Dr. Ner Azaula

Executive Board of Directors

Dr. Renato Calugcugan
Dr. Armaine de Vela
Dr. James Young
Dr. Orlando Cagatao
Dr. Loida Parungao
Dr. Elmer Bangloy

Executive Officer

Dr. Ed de la Vega